Automatically operated water motor



Sept. 17, 1935. e. w. JACOBS ,0

AUTOMATICALLY OPERATED WATER MOTOR Filed May 15, 1934 3 Sheets-Sheet l ATTORNEY Sept. 17, 1935- G. w. JACOBS 2,M,36

AUTOMATICALLY OPERATED WATER. MOTOR Filed May 15, 1954 3 Sheets-Sheet 2 INVENTOR 6 6 W. $19 3 Sfipt. 17, 1935. K w JACOBS 2,U14,736'

AUTOMATICALLY OPERATED WATER MOTOR Filed May 15, 1934 s Sheets-Sheet 5 m v Q I f7 g Y N Y 7v H H l EV/4163mm ATTORNEY EEOFfE; w. 90053 Patented Sept. 17, 1935 STATES PATENT orrie AUTOMATICALLY OPERATED WATER. MOTOR This invention relates to an automatically operated water motor.

The object of the invention is the production of an automatically operated water motor, which is actuated by the energy of a running stream, whereby an elevated. reservoir is automatically and intermittently filled with water.

The second object of the invention is the production of a water motor, comprising among its elements a paddle wheel rotated by impact with a running stream, and which is automatically immersed into and drawn from said stream to intermittently operate pumping means to pump water.

In the accompanying drawings, Fig. 1 represents a plan view partly in horizontal section of the automatically operated water motor; Fig. '2 shows a section of Fig. 1 on the line 2, 2; Fig. 3 indicates a partial side view and section of Fig. 1 on the line 3, 3; Fig. 4 indicates an enlarged section of Fig. 3 on the line 4, 4; Fig. 5 shows a section on a reduced scale of Fig. 3 on the line 5, 5; Fig. 6 represents a section on an enlarged scale of Fig. l on the line 6, 6 and Fig. 7 shows an elevation partly in section of the water motor, with its appurtenances for a, water supply and. irrigating system.

The automatically operated water motor is shown supported on a float indicated in its entirety by the numeral 29. The said float 2t comprises the longitudinal side walls 22, the deck 23 and the bottom wall 2 3. Between the deck 23 and the bottom wall 2 is indicated the buoyant chamber 3 The latter is indicated having the side walls 3i, the converging front walls 32, which join in the peak 33, and the rear wall 3i. Between the walls 22 and 3! are formed the longitudinal channels 35 having converging inlets and the outlet openings 3501..

In the chamber 36 is indicated the well 36 comprising the side walls 3'7, the front wall 38 and the rear wall 39. In the bottom wall of the well 36, which is part of the wall 24, are shown a plurality of openings 40. Screens 4! and 62 are respectively provided for the top face and the bottom face of the bottom wall of the well. A pocket 45 extends downwardly from the deck 23, and is indicated having the front wall it, the bottom wall ll, and the inclined rear wall 43. In the rear portion of the deck 23 are indicated a pair of openings 59. Curved deflecting strips 5! triangular in cross section, are fastened to the walls 22 and 35 of the channels 35 and wedge shaped deflecting strips cm are fastened to the walls 24 of said channels. Longithe fitting B l.

tudinal splash boards 52 having the clearance openings. 52a. for the journal boxes 85 to be described, extend upwardly from the deck 23 at the inner edges of the openings 5s and inclined cross splash boards 53 join with the splash 5 boards 52. 7

From the front corners of the float 2t, extend the similar fittings 54, vertically spaced from each other. From the peak 33 extend similar fittings 55, also vertically spaced from each other. From the fittings 54 extend the. converging pipes 55: vertically spaced apart. From the fittings 55 extend the pipes 51, also vertically spaced from each other. The uppermost pipes 55 and 577 are connected by the fitting 59. The central pipes 56 and 51 are connected by the fitting to and the lowermost pipes 56 and 57 are connected by The fittings 59, 6s and ti are connected by the vertical piping 62.

Screens 63. are connected to the said converging pipes and to the said vertical piping. The screens with their appurtenances, constitute a fender to prevent dbris. entering the channels 35 to avoid injury to the motor. The housing 64 of the float 20 comprises the lower longitudi- 2 nal beamsGE and the lower cross beams 35. Vertical posts 61', 66 and 68a. extend up from the lower'beams. Upper longitudinal beams 69 and upper cross beams It are provided for the housing. Inclined rafters II and the ridge pole. I2 are provided for the roof of the housing 64. Posts 73. extend between the beams I and the ridge'pole l2. Sheathing "M is provided for the vertical walls of the housing and sheathing l5 is shown for the roof of said housing. A window -is indicated at '16 and a door is shown at H. A

pair of guides 86, each comprise the concentric arms 81, each with a. radius struck from the center of the shaft [3| to be described. The

arms are joined at their upper ends by the curved 'crown 82, and at their lower ends by the connecting member 83, which has integral therewith the flanges 84. The guides 89 are fastened to the deck 23. In the guides 80 are slidably positinned the elongated journal boxes 85. The latter each comprise the lower member 86 and the usual cap 8'1 bolted to the member 86. From each of the caps 81 extends the flange 38 and a'bushing 89 is provided for each of said journal boxes 85. A driving shaft 92 is journaled in the journal boxes 85. Chains 93 have each one end connected to one of the flanges 88 and their other ends are connected to the cross brace 94 and from the latter the chains 93 converge as shown From the ridge pole 12 depends the journal bracket 95 having the guide roller 96 journaled therein, and the journal bracket 91 having the guide roller 98 journaled therein.

A controlling lifting bucket is indicated in its entirety by the numeral I02, and comprises side walls I03, the front wall I04, the rear wall I05 and the bottom wall I06. A bracket I01 extends from each of the side walls I03. An overflow pipe I09 extends from the bottom wall I06. A chain H0 has one end connected to the chains 93 and leads over the guide rollers 96 and 98 and the other end of the chain I I0 is fastened to the chain III which latter is fastened to the brackets I01.

A controlling outlet valve II2 having the valve stem II3 with the disc handle II4 extends from the bottom wall I06 of the bucket I02 and coacts with an opening I I5 in said wall I06. A bracket I I6 extends from the wall I06 for the valve stem II3.

A power pump is designated in its entirety by the numeral I and is indicated having the cylinders I2I, the connecting rods I22, the crank I23 and the crank shaft I25.

To the deck I23 are fastened a pair of journal boxes I 30 for the worm shaft I3I, which latter has fastened thereto the worm I32. Integral with one of the journal boxes I30 is indicated the journal box I33, which is also fastened to the deck 23. One end of the crank shaft I25 is journaled in the journal box I33. The splash board 52 adjacent to the journal boxes I and I33 is slightly recessed for the sam'e. A worm wheel I35 is fastened to the crank shaft I25 and. is in mesh with the worm I32. To the worm shaft I3I is fastened the spur gear I38, and to the driving shaft 92 is fastened the pinion I38 which is in mesh with the spur gear I38.

A pair of paddle wheels are each indicated in its entirety by the numeral I40. Each of said paddle wheels comprises the outer disc I4I, the inner disc I42 and the central disc I43. Radial spokes are indicated having the blades I45 with the bent up outer ends I46. Flanges I41 are integral with the blades I45 and their bent up ends I46. The blades I45 are positioned between the discs I4I, I42 and I43 and the flanges I41 are fastened to the discs. Each of the paddle wheels I has a hub I48 with a corrugated circumferential outer face, comprising the crowns I49 and the valleys I49a. The inner ends of the blades I extend into openings of the crowns I49. In each of the hubs I48 are indicated the similar journal bearings I50 and I5I. Each of the said journal bearings I50 and I5I is connected to its hub I48 by a pair of spiders I52. It will be noted that the journal bearings I50 are positioned at one side of the central disc I43 and adjacent thereto, and that the journal bearings I5I are positioned adjacent to the outer discs I4I. It will also be noted that the journal bearings 85 extend a considerable distance into the hubs I48, to avoid the necessity of providing journal bearings on the outside of the paddle wheels. The driving shaft 92 extends through the journal bearings I50 and I5I and is fastened thereto, by the set screws I54.

Suction piping I for the pump I 20 extends into the well 36. Discharge fittings I6I and I62 for the pump I20, are connected by the nipple I64. A line of discharge piping I66 extends from the fitting I6I and a line of discharge piping I61 extends from the fitting I62. Brackets I63 extend from the ridge pole 12 for the upper portion of the discharge piping I61 which latter leads to the controlling lifting bucket I 02.

A valve I12 is connected to the discharge piping I61 and is indicated having the arm I13. A valve I15 is connected to the discharge piping I66 and is indicated having the arm I16. A link I18 connects the arms I13 and I16. A spring I19 has one end fastened to the link I18 and its other end is fastened to its adjacent splash board 53. A chain I82 has one end fastened to the link I18 and leads over the guide pulley I83, extending from the post 68, the guide pulley I84 extending from one of the posts 61 and the guide pulley I85 extending from the post 680.. The chain I82 is then led out of the housing 64 as indicated in Fig. '7.

A flexible tube or hose I85 is detachably connected to the discharge piping I66 adjacent to the housing 64, by means of the couplings I86. The hose I85 extends below the upper level of the stream I90.

A pair of chains or ropes I88 have one end each fastened to the front corners of the float 20, and their other ends are fastened to buoys, not shown, or to other convenient supports Referring particularly to Fig. 7, a water supply system is shown and which may be used for the usual purposes and also for an irrigating plant. In said Fig. 7 a running stream is shown at I90 and a hill or mountain is indicated at I9 I.

An elevated reservoir, storage tank or cistern 200 is shown in the top portion of the hill or mountain I9I. Discharge piping 202 having the valve 203 extends from the lower portion of the reservoir 200, and. provides water for the usual water supply or for an irrigating system. An outlet pipe 204 having the valve 205 extends from the bottom of the tank 280 for cleaning purposes.

A stand pipe 206 extends from the ground 201, and in this instance the lower end of the pipe 206 is filled with concrete 208 for stability and. for preventing leakage. The stand pipe 206 is provided with the steps 209 constituting a ladder. Guy ropes 2I0 extend from the stand pipe 206 to the ground in the usual manner. The said stand pipe is provided with the guide rollers 2I2, 2I3, and 2I4 adjacent to its lower end and the guide roller 2I5 adjacent to its top end. The chain I82 after it leaves the housing 64 is led over the guide rollers 2I2, 2I3, 2I4 and 2I5 to the upper portion of the said stand pipe. An overflow pipe 2 I6 extends from the top end of the stand pipe 206. A controlling tank 2I1 having the small vent opening 2 I8 in its bottom wall is suspended from the upper end of the chain I82. The overflow pipe 2I6 extends over the tank 2I1 when the latter is in its raised position as indicated in Fig. 7. From the lower end of the stand pipe 206 extends the supply piping 220 which leads to the upper end of the reservoir 200.

To operate the water motor it is anchored or moored in a running stream, by means of the chains or ropes I 88 and buoys, not shown, or other fastening means. The movable parts of the motor are positioned as indicated on the drawings.

The flow of the stream in this exemplification is in the direction of the arrow A, Fig. 1 and enters the channels 35 after passing the converging walls 32, whereby the speed of the flow of the water is increased. The running water leaves the channels 35 through the outlet openings 35a. The impingement of the running water against the blades I45 of the paddle wheels I40 turn the latter in the direction of the arrow B, Fig. 6,

By this means the pinion I39 is turned. The spur gear I38 turns with the said pinion and thereby the worm shaft I3I turns. The crank shaft I25 turns with the worm shaft I3I through the interposed gears, and thereby the power pump 1120 is operated. Water is drawn from the stream through the suction piping I60 and discharged from the pump through the discharge piping I66 and Isl. The discharge piping initially directs the Water discharged from the pump I20 into the top end of the stand pipe 206. The water is led from the stand pipe 256 to the elevated reservoir M50 and is discharged from the latter through the piping 202 for a water supply, irrigating system or for any other useful purpose. When the stand pipe 206 and the reservoir 200 are full, the water overflows through the overflow piping 2I6 and enters the controlling tank 2I1. When the tank Zl'i is full of water it descends and the chain I82 is pulled in the direction of the arrow C, Figs. 3 and '7. The Water in the tank 2I1 slowly escapes therefrom through the opening me. With. the descent of the tank 2I1 the discharge valve I15 of the discharge piping IE6 is closed, and the discharge valve I12 of the discharge piping I 51 is opened, and water flows from the suction piping I66 through the pump I20 and the discharge piping I61. By this means the controlling lifting bucket !02 is filled and thereby lowered.

The chain H0 is now pulled in the direction of the arrow D, Fig. 3 and the journal boxes are pulled upwardly and guided in the guides 80. At the same time the pinion I39 rolls up on the spur gear E33 and remains in mesh therewith. With the raising of the journal boxes 85,- the driving shaft 82 is also: raised and the paddle wheels M9 are elevated clear of the streams of water in the channels 35 and the pump I20 is stopped. When the controlling lifting bucket I02 lowers the water therein slowly runs therefrom through the controlling valve I I2, and flows into the stream through the well 36. The rate of flow from the bucket I02 is controlled by the controlling valve IIZ. The valve II2 can be adjusted so that the controlling lifting bucket I02 is drained at a predetermined time to enable the pump I 20 to resume operations. When the bucket I92 has been discharged of its water the paddle wheels I 30 descend by gravity and are again positioned in the streams of water in the channels 35 to again start operations. When the tank 2i"! is empty it automatically rises by the tension of the spring I19, and the chain I82, moves in a direction opposite to the arrow C. By this means the link I18 is pulled in a direction opposite to said arrow C, and the valve I15 is opened'and the valve I12 is closed. With the operation of the paddle wheels I40 the pump I20 again draws Water through the suction piping Itil and discharges said water through the discharge piping I66 to again enter the stand pipe 290. The water motor in this specification is described as furnishing water for water supply, but it will be noted that the motor can be used for furnishing energy for various purposes.

Referring particularly to Figs. 1 and 3, attention is directed to the curved deflecting strips 5i and 5Ia, which deflect the streams of water in the channels 35 to impinge against the paddle wheels between their discs MI and I42 and against the blades I45 of said paddle Wheels.

It will be noted that the flexible hose I85 enables the float 20 to rise and lower with variations in the tide of the stream, and to be prop- 3 erly positioned with various directions ofthe flow of the stream.

Various modifications may be made in the invention and the present exemplification is to be taken as illustrative and not limitative thereof. 5

Having described my invention I claim:

1. The combination of a float positioned in a running stream, a paddle wheel journaled in the float and normally immersed in the stream, a pump supported on the float, suction piping for 10 the pump to draw water from the stream, connections between the paddle wheel and the pump,

a chain having one end thereof in connection with the paddle wheel, a controlling lifting bucket suspended from the other end of the chain, an out- 15 let for the bucket, discharge piping for said pump leading to said bucket, a valve in said discharge piping and automatic means to open and close said valve.

2. The combination of a float in a running 20 stream of water, a pair of curved guides each having one end fastened to the float, a journal box'in slidable contact with each guide, a driving shaft journaled in the journal boxes, a pair of paddle wheels fastened to the driving shaft normally 25 positioned in the stream and actuated thereby, a pinion fastened to the driving shaft, a second shaft journaled in the float, a spur gear fastened to the second shaft and in mesh with said pinion, a pump supported in the float, suction piping leading from the pump into said stream, discharge piping for the pump, connecting means between the second shaft and said pump and automatic means to lift the paddle Wheels clear of the stream, said pinion remaining in mesh with said gear during the lifting of said wheels and said paddle wheels lowered by gravity.

3. The combination of a paddle wheel adjustably positioned in a running stream of water to rotate said wheel, a pump to pump' water from said stream, connections between the paddle wheel and said pump to operate the latter, suction piping for said pump leading from said stream, a controlling lifting bucket suspended adjacent to the pump, discharge piping leading from said pump to said lifting bucket, said lifting bucket being connected with said paddle Wheel to lift the latter out of the stream when said bucket has been pumped full of water, means to empty said 5 bucket and means to stop the flow of water into said bucket from said discharge piping at a predetermined'time, said paddle wheel descending into said stream when said bucket has been emptied of its water.

4. The combination of a paddle wheel positioned in a running stream of water, a pump adjacent to the paddle wheel, connections between the wheel and pump to rotate the latter, suction piping for the pump, discharge piping extending 60 from the pump, a valve in the discharge piping,

a spring having one end fixed and its other end in connection with the valve, a stand pipe, said discharge piping leading to the stand pipe, an overflow pipe extending from the top end of the 65 stand pipe, a chain having one end in connection with said valve and leading to the upper end of the stand pipe and a controlling tank having a small opening in its bottom wall suspended from the other end of said chain and positioned below 70 the overflow pipe and when full descending to close said valve, said tank being raised when empty by the tension of said spring and said spring simultaneously opening the valve in the discharge piping. 75

5. The combination of a paddle wheel adjustably positioned in a running stream to rotate said wheel, a pump to pump water from the stream, connections between the paddle wheel and the pump to operate the latter with the rotations of the paddle wheel, suction piping for the pump, discharge piping for the pump, a valve in the discharge piping, a spring having one end fixed and its other end in connection with said valve, a chain with one end in connection with said paddle wheel, a controlling lifting bucket suspended from the other end of the chain, and a controlling outlet valve extending from the bottom wall of the bucket, said bucket positioned under the outlet end of the discharge piping and descending when filled with water from the discharge piping and lifting the paddle out of the stream and said spring simultaneously closing the valve in the discharge piping.

6. The combination of a pair of paddle wheels adjustably positioned in a running stream of water, to turn the paddle wheels, a pump to pump water from the stream, connections between the paddle wheels and the pump to operate the latter, suction piping for the pump leading from the stream, two lines of discharge piping independent of each other extending from the pump, a stand pipe, one line of said discharge piping leading to said stand pipe, automatic means to stop the flow of water in the discharge pipe leading to the stand pipe when the latter has been pumped full of water, a chain having one end thereof in connection with said paddle wheels, a controlling lifting bucket suspended from the other end of the chain and means to empty the bucket, the second line of discharge piping leading to the bucket, said bucket when full descending and lifting the paddle wheels out of the stream, said wheels descending by gravity when said bucket has been emptied.

I. The combination of a paddle wheel adjustably positioned in a running stream, a pump to pump water from the stream, connections between the paddle wheel and the pump to operate the latter with the rotations of the paddle wheel, suction piping for the pump leading from the stream, two lines of discharge piping independent of each other extending from the pump, a valve in each line of discharge piping, a link connecting said valves, a spring having one end connected to said link and its other end fixed adjacent thereto, a stand pipe, one line of said discharge piping leading to said stand pipe, an overflow pipe extending from the top end of the stand pipe, a chain extending from said link to the upper end of the stand pipe, a controlling tank suspended from the other end of said chain and positioned below the overflow piping and when full lowering to close the valve in the discharge piping leading to the stand pipe and to open the valve in the other or second line of discharge piping, a chain in connection with the paddle wheel, a controlling lifting bucket suspended from 5 the other end of the latter chain and a con' trolling outlet valve for the lifting bucket, the second line of discharge piping leading to said bucket, said bucket when full descending and lifting the paddle wheel out of the stream and 10 said spring closing the valve in the second line of discharge piping.

8. The combination of a float, parallel longitudinal side walls for the float, a buoyant chamher in the float, longitudinal side walls for the 15 chamber, converging front walls extending from the side walls of the chamber, channels formed by the side walls of the float and the adjacent walls of the buoyant chamber, a pair of paddle wheels journaled on the float extending into said 20 channels, an outlet opening for each channel at the rear end of the float and deflecting strips in each of said channels extending from the side walls of the buoyant chamber and the side walls of the float. 25

9. The combination of a float in a running stream, parallel longitudinal side walls for the float, a buoyant chamber in the float, longitudinal side walls for the chamber, converging front walls extending from the side walls of the chamber, channels formed by the side walls of the float and the walls of the buoyant chamber, an outlet opening for each channel at the rear end of the float, deflecting strips for each of said channels extending from the side walls of the buoyant chamber and the bottom and the side walls of the float, a shaft journaled in the float, a pair of paddle Wheels having blades fastened to the shaft and extending into said charmels, blades for the paddle wheels, the streams of 40 water when flowing through the channels increasing in speed and deflected against the blades of the paddle wheels.

10. The combination of a float, a pair of elongated journal boxes secured in the float, a shaft, 45 journaled in said journal boxes, a paddle wheel fastened to each of the opposite end portions of the shaft, a hub for each paddle wheel, a pair of journal bearings for each hub, one of the said journal bearings adjacent to the outer end r of its hub and the other journal bearing adjacent to the middle portion of its hub, the end portions of said shaft fastened to said journal bearings, each of the journal boxes extending into the hub of its adjacent paddle wheel, a pump in the float and connections between said shaft and said pump.

GEORGE W. JACOBS. 

